The genetic engineering of organ-donor animals to decrease the risk of human immune system rejection poses ethical and psychological challenges to the long-held boundary between humans and other animal species.
The implementation of breakthrough quality improvement initiatives has been successful in closing the gap between the number of organs that are available and the number of patients who need them.
Volk v DeMeerleer may conflict with professional guidelines regarding physicians’ obligations to breach patient confidentiality to protect third parties.
AMA J Ethics. 2018;20(1):10-18. doi:
10.1001/journalofethics.2018.20.1.peer2-1801.
Eitan Neidich, Alon B. Neidich, David A. Axelrod, MD, and John P. Roberts, MD
Geographic disparities in availability of organs for transplant have spawned for-profit companies that help patients get on waitlists in more than one region and arrange travel for them if an organ becomes available.
Physician behavior that generates a patient complaint and ultimately leads to disciplinary action is both legally and ethically problematic—violating both regulatory rules and professional codes.
AMA J Ethics. 2015;17(5):448-455. doi:
10.1001/journalofethics.2015.17.5.pfor1-1505.
Jennifer A. Sbicca, MD, Katherine Gordon, MD, and Stefani Takahashi, MD
Match applicants and residency program directors may express their interest in each other, but the cardinal rule of the match is they cannot ask the other how they will be ranked.
Medical schools’ and hospitals’ Title IX policies should support trainees who have been victimized as well as address known incidents of sexual harassment.
AMA J Ethics. 2018;20(1):3-9. doi:
10.1001/journalofethics.2018.20.1.peer1-1801.